Clay's Guestbook

Janet, I am not much younger than you. I would choose tissue. When that one wears out, you will qualify for TAVR, which, is not much different than having an angiogram. Between the two valves, that should give you about 25 years. I am trying to keep away from blood thinners, plus I don't think i could deal with the ticking of the mechanical. Good luck!

Hi Lynn, sorry you have this but good you have family close to a great place to have work done and to recover. I think I was 5.3 too. Everyone I talked with spoke highly of Hughes and I do too. Duke doesn't do much pre-op hand holding but I had excellent care there. He wired me up tight! I tired pretty easily during the few weeks my hemoglobin recovered, but continued to improve and certainly was able to keep a walking routine on level ground. Inclines and steps were a little tiring but I kept reminding myself that it was OK to rest if I needed to. If you're active now you'll be active through recovery and do fine. Let me know if you have any questions and I've got you on my prayer list.

Hi Jon, I know how you're feeling...especially not having any symptoms. You don't want to wait until you damage something but you don't want to rush into the ordeal too soon. Anyway, I was really thankful after surgery that my body fat was low and I went in pretty strong. I didn't smoke or drink (i do enjoy an occasional brew now though). I stopped the gym about 2 months before surgery because I was put off by the afib and afraid of the aortic aneurysm (which is why I had to go under). As for recovery...God was merciful because I really had very little pain. I was taking only Tylenol by day 3...but you bet I didn't miss a dose. My discomfort was mainly between my shoulderblades and back. You'll want a back massage often. Sleep was tricky...I slept inclined for weeks. Due to low hemoglobin, I was weak for weeks after surgery. I sat around for the first 5(?) days back home. Afterwards I walked every day. I'd have to rest a moment after getting out of the car...but was ok after gaining momentum...like having high inertia. We have 4 big malls in the area so I did laps. I worked up to 3 - 5 miles a day. The doc said I was ok for light gym lifting at 4 months, but I returned on the 6 month mark. I eased back into lifting very slowly with zero ego. My doc says no bearing down, holding breath, no maxing out, leave one rep in the tank. No grunt-beast body building which was never my thing anyway. I can't bench because of shoulder issues but I do chest and haven't split in half yet. I don't do power lifts like heavy squats but I do leg extensions and curls. Shoulders and abs seem to get me winded more than anything...but I don't work to the point of being very winded either. I don't THINK I overdo it but he might say otherwise if he watched me. Anyway, my resting heart rate was 57 preoperative and is 73 at best now. I had a MAZE procedure while under that is supposed to suppress afib. I'm told I don't have afib anymore but I often have a fluttering feeling and my rate in the gym the gym is around 140 even sitting on a bench. So...I don't sling plates around like I used to and I'm conscious of putting strain on my heart, but I feel like Im getting stronger and will get back most of what I had before. My biggest obstacle is girl scout cookies and not my heart condition. I'm easing some cardio back into my life because it's better for your heart. I hear it helps lower the resting rate, and I'm too fat. Talk to your doctor about your expectations for post op fitness, but I do about whatever I want...within reason. This is a long answer but hope it helps out. PS: do NOT use this as an excuse to lounge and eat. It's an opportunity to be victorious over adversity.